London Residents Lose Bid To Block Olympic Missiles

Residents "have lost their High Court battle" to prevent surface-to-air missiles being stationed on the roof of a 17-story residential tower block during the Olympics, according to the London TELEGRAPH. A judge ruled residents at the Fred Wigg Tower in the east London area of Leytonstone "did not have an arguable case." The block is one of six sites in the capital where missiles, including rapier and high-velocity systems, "will be deployed" to protect Games venues. The Fred Wigg residents applied for permission to seek judicial review, saying there was a "disproportionate interference" with their human rights, and that they were not "consulted fairly and properly" over the placement of the air defense system. Their legal challenge was rejected by Justice Haddon-Cave, who said: "The law and the facts militate against the claim for judicial review. In my judgment the MoD's voluntary engagement with the community and residents in this matter were immaculate" (TELEGRAPH, 7/10).